Carton labeling method

ABSTRACT

Carton closing and labeling method and apparatus wherein an open carton of the type utilized for storing eggs is conveyed along a conveyor belt with the eggs positioned in the eggs receiving cells of the lower portion of the carton, the lid of the carton is pivoted over the bottom section of the carton, the carton is stamped with a date; the top surface of the carton is heated prior to the application of the label, and a label is applied to the top surface of the closed carton. The label contains a thin layer of heat responsive adhesive, and after the label is applied to the top surface of the carton, the label is heated and pressed onto the top surface of the carton.

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United States Patent O1 ice 3,690,986 Patented Sept. 12, 1972 3,690,986 CARTON LABELING METHOD David L. Pearl, Atlanta, George E. Harris, Marietta, and .lohn G. Waller, College Park, Ga., and Beverly P. Head, Jr., Birmingham, Ala., assgnors to W. R. Grace & Co., Duncan, S.C.

Application June 17, 1968, Ser. No. 737,601, which` is a continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 626,288, Mar. 27, 1967. Divided and this application Aug. 4, 1969, Ser. No. 855,063

Int. Cl. B32b 31/04 U.S. Cl. 156-257 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Carton closing and labeling method and apparatus wherein an open carton of the type utilized for storing eggs is conveyed along a conveyor belt with the eggs positioned in the egg receiving cells of the lower portion of the carton, the lid of the carton is pivoted over the bottom section of the carton and latched to the bottom section of the carton, the carton is stamped with a date; the top surface of the carton is heated prior to the application of the label, and a label is applied to the top surface of the closed carton. The label contains a thin layer of heat responsive adhesive, and after the label is applied to the top surface of the carton, the label is heated and pressed onto the top surface of the carton.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division of U.S. application, Ser. No. 737,-601 led June 17, 1968, now Patent No. 3,562,997 issued Feb. 16, 1971, which is a continuationin-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 626,288 filed Mar. 27, 1967 and now patent No. 3,396,895 issued Aug. 13, 1968.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the handling and selling of eggs, it is important that the eggs be stored in cartons that are not only structurally sufficient to withstand the handling of the eggs during shipment and storage, but that the cartons be neat and eye appealing when placed upon the grocers shelf and eX- hibited to the customer. Furthermore, once the eggs are placed in the cartons, it is important that the cartons be so constructed that they may be conveniently handled and manipulated by both machinery and hand.

Recently, egg cartons have been fabricated of molded pulp and polystyrene which are suiciently rigid and durable for the purpose of handling, storing and exhibiting eggs. Some of these cartons have been formed with a bottom section or tray delining a plurality of cells which receive and support the eggs in a spaced relationship. A cover or lid is pivotally hinged along one edge of the tray, and a locking tlap is similarly pivoted or hinged to the opposite edge of the tray. The cover is pivoted to a closed position over the tray and the locking flap engages the cover and locks the cover in its closed position. The cover usually defines locking recesses or apertures along its edge opposite its hinge, and the locking flap usually includes protrusions which engage the recesses or apertures of the cover to hold the cover in its locked position.

Whille various machines have been developed for automatically loading the cartons, closing the cartons, and otherwise handling the cartons on an assembly line basis, these various machines have been defective in that the various functions are occasionally improperly performed and result in eggs being spilled and broken. For example, it has been noted that machines designed for closing molded pulp cartons are, at best, temperamental and extremely sensitive to variations in material stiffness and surface abrasiveness, both frequently affected by humidity changes.y Furthermore, the speed with which the eggs and cartons have been handled in the past has been so slow that the value of the machines in comparison with manually handling the eggs at various stages of the assembly line has been dubious.

SUMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention comprises a carton closing and labeling method and apparatus which rapidly performs the functions, on an assembly line basis, of closing and locking an egg carton, printing the date on the egg carton, and applying a label to the carton. When closing the carton, the cover is pivoted over the tray, the locking flap is tucked inside the cover, and the cover is urged toward the tray so that the locking flap will properly engage the cover and hold the cover in its closed position. As the carton moves further along the assembly line, it is engaged by an ink stamping apparatus which gently but firmly applies the date to the carton along with any other supplementary information desired. As the carton moves further along the assembly line, a thermoplastic label having a heat responsive adhesive applied to its bottom surface is applied to the top surface of the carton. The label is moved in generally the same direction as the carton as it is applied to the carton so that the motion of the carton need not be interrupted as the label is being applied thereto. The surface of the carton to which the label is applied is heated immediately prior to the application of the label to the carton, and the label is pressed onto the surface of the carton by a heated surface so that the heat responsive adhesive reacts to bond the label to the carton. The label is fabricated from a thermoplastic material that shrinks when subjected to the heat as applied by the heated surface. Thus, the shrinking of the label tends to stretch the label over the surface of the carton and any wrinkles that might have been created in the process of applying the label to the carton are removed by the stretching process.

Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus for expediently and dependably closing and labeling cartons.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for closing and locking egg cartons wherein the locking flaps of the cartons are tucked inside the covers, and the covers are urged toward their fully closed position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for applying labels to egg cartons wherein the labels are stretched over the surface of the egg carton.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus for applying a label having a heat responsive adhesive to a carton.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus for closing and locking egg cartons and applying labels to egg cartons which is economical to manufacture and use, which functions automatically, requires a minimum of attention and maintenance during operation, which creates Virtually no egg breakage, and which does not damage the cartons.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the carton closing and labeling apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the left side of the carton closing and labeling apparatus.

PIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carton closing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the left side of the carton closing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an end cross-sectional view of the carton closing apparatus, taken along lines 5 5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an end cross-sectional view of the carton closing apparatus, taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an end schematic view of the carton closing apparatus, taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of the carton closing apparatus. 1

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the clutch mechanism of the carton closing apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the carton date stamp apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a plan view, with parts broken away, of the lirst set of heated rolls of the labeling apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side elevational View of the left side of the labeling apparatus.

FIG. 13 is an end view of the driving rollers and their clutch mechanism of the labeling apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the driving rollers and their clutch mechanism.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the guillotine of the labeling apparatus.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the driving rollers and the second set of heating rolls of the labeling apparatus, showing the manner in which the spring bands are trained around the various rollers.

FIG. 17 is an end elevational view of the guillotine.

FIG. 18 is a partial exploded view of a spring band.

FIG. 19 is a schematic showing of the electrical controls of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a partial perspective view of the second embodiment of the clutch mechanism.

FIG. 2l is a partial cross-sectional view of the clutch mechanism as shown in FIG. 20.

F IG. 22 is an elevational View of the clutch mechanism shown in FIGS. 20 and 21.

FIG. 23 is a partial top plan View of the clutch mechanism` shown in FIGS. 20-22.

FIG. 24 is a partial elevational view of a second embodiment of the guillotine of the invention.

FIG. 25 is an exploded partial perspective view of the guillotine shown in FIG. 23.

FIG. 26 is a. perspective View of the guillotine shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the guillotine shown in FIGS. 23-25.

FIG. 28 is a schematic showing the electrical controls of the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the shrinkage heater taken along lines 29--29 in FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawing, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows the carton closing and labeling apparatus 20 which includes a frame 21 supported from a floor surface by means of vertically extending legs 22. In general terms, the carton closing and labeling apparatus 20 comprises closing apparatus 24, dating apparatus 2S, and labeling apparatus 26. Conveyor belt 28 extends the entire length of the closing and labeling apparatus 20, over entrance roller 29 and exit roller 30. Exit roller 30 is driven in the direction indicated by arrow 31, and the cartons to be processed by the apparatus will move with conveyor belt 28 from entrance roller 29 toward exit roller 30.

An electric motor 32 is supported at the lower portion of the frame and arranged to drive exit roller 30 of the conveyor and the various other rotating parts of the apparatus, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

CLOSING APPARATUS As is shown in FIGS. 3-10, especially FIG. 3, the

closing apparatus 24 is connected to the frame in such a manner that it extends on both sides of the conveyor belt 28. Clutch 34 is connected to the frame and includes a solenoid 35 (FIG. 9) which actuates lever arm 36. Lever arm 36 is pivoted about pivot pin 38 and includes an L- shaped extension 39 facing inwardly of the clutch housing. Clutch 34 is a dog-type clutch and includes a shaft 40 which is continuously driven by driving sprocket 41. Connecting sprocket 42 is rigidly attached to gear 41 and includes radially extending teeth 43. Clutch disc 44 is loosely mounted about shaft 40 and beveled gear 45 is rigidly aflixed to disc 44. Beveled gear 46 mates with beveled gear and is rigidly axed to output shaft 47. Connecting link 48 is pivotally connected at one of its ends to clutch disc 44 by pin 49, while tension spring 50, connected at one of its ends (not shown) to clutch disc 44, is connected to connecting link 48 and biases connecting link 48 toward the periphery of clutch disc 44. Lug 51 extends within the path of teeth 43 of connecting sprocket 42 when connecting link 48 is adjacent the periphery of clutch disc 44. Lug 52 is engageable by L-shaped extension 39 of lever arm 36 to pivot lug 51 out of the path of teeth 43. With this construction, it can be seen that when solenoid 35 is deactuated, lever 36 will be pivoted so that its L-shaped extension 39 engages lug 52 of connecting link 48 to pivot connecting link 48 about its pivot pin 49 against the bias of spring 50. This pivots lug 51 out of engagement with the teeth 43 of sprocket 42, whereupon connecting sprocket 45 rotates with its shaft 40, and shaft 47 will not be rotated. When it is desired to engage clutch 34, solenoid 35 is actuated to pivot lever 36 so that its L-shaped extension 39 is out of engagement with lug 52 of connecting link 48, whereupon spring causes lug 51 to pivot toward teeth 43` of sprocket 42. Thus, when one of the teeth 43 of sprocket 42 engages lug 51, connecting link 48 and its clutch disc 44 will be carried by the teeth 43 to rotate beveled gears 45 and 46 thus causing shaft 47 to rotate. The actuating of solenoid 35 need only be instantaneous; that is, once deactuating lug 52 is released by L-shaped extension 39 of lever 36, lever 36 can be pivoted back to its original position, and connecting link 48 will be rotated one revolution with connecting sprocket 42 before its lug 52 is engaged again by lever 36.

Shaft 47 is connected to connecting shaft 55, and connecting shaft 55 is connected at its other end to cam shaft 56 (FIG. 3). Cam shaft 56 is supported by brackets 58 in an attitude such that it extends generally parallel to the upper ight of conveyor belt 28. Cam shaft 56 supports first gripping cam 59, second gripping cam 60, plate elevating cam 61, plate tilting cam 62, and follow-through cam 63. These various cams are oriented about cam shaft 56 so as to actuate their respective cam followers to close a carton carried by conveyor belt 28.

Sleeve is slotted at 66, and the slotted ends 68 are positioned about cam shaft 56, about rst gripping cam 59. Cam follower 69 is reciprocally mounted in sleeve 65 and adapted to ride over the surface of first gripping cam 59. Cam follower rod 70 extends through the open end of sleeve 65 toward the opposite side and beneath the upper flight of conveyor belt 68 and is connected at its outer end to crank arm 71. Crank arm 71 is connected to rocker arm 72, and hooking members 74 are rigidly mounted on rocker arm 72. Hooking members 74 include hooks 75 that are arranged to rock toward and away from the path of the cartons traveling on the upper flight of the conveyor belt 28, to grasp and grip the cartons in a stationary position.

Rocking levers 76 and 77 are pivotally mounted on the frame by means of pivot pins 78 and 79, respectively, and rocking lever 76 includes a cam follower 80 adapted to engage the surface of second gripping cam 60. Intermediate link 81 is slidably connected to the frame by means of its elongated slots 82 extending about cap head shoulder bolt 84. Projection 85 is rigidly connected to intermediate link 81 adjacent rocking lever 76, and adapted to engage the lower portion of rocking lever 76 below its pivot pin 78. A similar projection 86 is connected to the other end of intermediate link 81 and positioned to engage the upper portion of rocking lever 77, above its pivot pin 79. A tension spring 88 is connected to the lower portion of rocking lever 77 and to the frame, so as to bias rocking lever 77 in a counterclockwise direction (FIG. 3), thereby biasing intermediate link 81 to the left, and biasing rocking lever 76 in a clockwise direction about its pivot pin so that its cam follower 80 is urged against second gripping cam 60. Rocking levers 76 and 77 include inwardly facing hooks 89 which rock in a plane generally parallel to the direction of movement of the upper flight 28 of the conveyor belt, and the cartons carried thereby. The cartons to be closed by closing apparatus 24 are placed on the upper flight 28 of the conveyor belt with their lids extending over cam shaft 56 (FIG. and hooks 89 are positioned to rock toward each other and engage the carton between the carton lid and the carton base or tray.

First and second gripping cams 59 and 60 and their related components function to grip cartons carried by conveyor belt 28, to hold the cartons in a stationary position above the moving belt while the closing function of the remaining elements of the closing apparatus takes place. When cam shaft 56 rotates in the direction as indicated by arrow 73, first gripping cam 59 urges carn follower 69 and cam follower rod 70 out of their sleeve 65 to pivot rocker arm 72. Hooks 75 are thus pivoted toward the carton (FIG. 5) and engage the upper edge of the base or tray of the carton. In the meantime, second gripping cam 60 has rotated so that cam follower 80 is no longer in engagement with the surface of second gripping cam 60, whereupon tension spring 88 is allowed to pivot rocking levers 76 and 77 toward each other, so their hooks `89 engage the carton between the lid and the tray of the carton. Thus, hooks 75 and 89 function to firmly grip and position the cartons and hold them in a stationary position during one revolution of cam shaft 56.

L-shaped bracket 90 is rigidly connected to the frame of the apparatus at the end of its lower, horizontally extending leg 91. Asis best shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, plate elevating bracket 92 is connected to the upwardly extending leg 94 of L-shaped bracket 90 by means of pivot pin 92. Cam follower 96 is connected to plate elevating bracket 92 and arranged to engage plate elevating cam 61. Plate elevating bracket 92 is generally Z-shaped, with cam follower 96 being connected to the upper leg 98 of bracket 92. Lower leg 99 of bracket 92 engages, by means of its adjustable engaging nut 100, sleeve 101.

Sleeve 101 is slotted at 102 (FIG. 3), and its slotted ends are mounted about cam shaft 56, about plate tilting cam 62. Sleeve 101 is generally similar in configuration to sleeve l65 of first gripping cam 59, in that cam follower 104 and follower rod 105 are reciprocally received in sleeve 101. Tension spring 109 is connected at one of its ends to the frame of the apparatus and at the other of its ends to the outer end of follower rod 105, to urge follower rod 105 to the position shown in full lines of FIG. 7.

Locking ap folding plate 110 is connected to the outer end of follower rod 105 by means of pivot pin 111. Slotted guide brackets 112 are connected to the frame of the apparatus and folding plate 110 is loosely received and slidable in an upward direction through the brackets. Folding plate 110 is bent inwardly at its upper portion 114 so as to properly engage the locking ap of a carton. With this arrangement, rotation of cams `61 and 62 causes folding plate 110 to move from the position shown in the full lines of FIG. 7 to that shown in the dotted lines; that is, folding plate 110 will be elevated by means of cam 61 and plate elevating bracket 92 and tilted in slotted brackets 112 by means of cam 62 and sleeve 101. The upper portion of folding plate engages the locking flap of the carton when folding plate 110 is elevated, and folding plate 110 is tilted to tilt the locking flap of the carton to a position where it will be received inside the lid or cover of the carton as the lid or cover is closed.

As is best shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 8, crank arm 115 is connected to the end of cam shaft 56, and follower arm 116 is connected at one of its ends to crank arm 115, and at the other of its ends to lid closing plate 118. Lid closing plate 11'8 is pivoted on its axle or hinge pin 119 about the edge of the frame of the apparatus. Hinge pin 119 is placed at an elevation closely adjacent the upper edge of the lower portion or tray of the carton to be closed so that lid closing plate is hinged about the upper edge of the lower portion or tray of the carton. Closing plate 118 includes a plurality of presser feet 120 which extend generally normal to the plane of closing plate 118 and a rim presser 121. Rim presser 121 is generally cylindrical and is supported by extension arm 122 from closing plate 118. The construction is such that crank arm is rotated by cam shaft 5 6 to pivot lid closing plate 118` about its hinge pin 119 until lid closing plate 118 extends in an upward direction. Since presser feet extend perpendicular to closing plate 118, presser feet 120 will be positioned over conveyor belt 28. As is shown in EFIG. 5, presser feet 120 will function to pivot the lid of the carton toward its closed position. In the meantime, rim presser 121 will urge the rim of the carton over the locking flap of the carton. As presser feet 120 and rim presser 121 approach the end of their pivotal movement, presser feet 120 will function to exert a substantial amount of force against the top of the carton to positively urge the carton toward its proper closed position, while rim presser 121 will force the rim of the lid or top of the carton into engagement with the rim of the lower portion or tray of the carton, thus assuring proper locking of the carton.

As crank arm 115 continues to rotate through its top dead center position, follower arm 116 will be moved in a `downward direction to bring lid closing plate 118 back to its original position (as shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 8). When crank arm 115 reaches its bottom dead center position where its follower arm 116 and lid closing plate 118 are substantially in alignment with each other, closing plate 11'8 must reverse its direction of movement for its next cycle. Thus, follow-through cam 63 (FIGS. 3 and 8) is oriented on cam shaft 56 in the opposite direction from cr-ank arm 115 and adapted to engage lever 124 which is pivotally mounted on the frame of the apparatus by bracket 125 and pivot pin 126. The remote end of lever 124 is arranged to engage the lower surface of lid closing plate 118, to urge lid closing plate 118 in an upward direction, through the initial portion of its cycle. Thus, follow-through cam 63 is effective to prevent -any binding or counter rotation of crank arm 115 beginning at the bottom dead center of its stroke.

DATING APPARATUS As is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 10, dating apparatus 25 comprises a stamping disc 128 having an annular stamping band 129 disposed about its periphery. Stamping band 129 has embossed thereon the information desired printed on the edge of the lids of the cartons processed through the closing and labeling apparatus 20, such as the date or location of the processing plant. Transfer disc 133 engages the periphery of stamping disc 128 and hollow disc 1130 is positioned so that its periphery engages the periphery of intermediate disc 133. A felt band 131 extends around the periphery of hollow disc 130, and the periphery of hollow disc 1.30 is apertured (not Shown) so that the hollow interior of disc 130 communicates with felt band 131. Hollow disc 130 is lled with ink or similar marking liquid, which permeates felt band 131. As stamping disc 128 rotates transfer disc 13l3 and hollow disc 130` will also rotate and felt band 131 will wet the periphery of transfer disc 133, which wets the stamping band 129 with ink.

Biasing disc 132 is positioned on the opposite side of conveyor belt 28 and arranged to engage the opposite side of the cartons carried by the conveyor belt. Biasing disc 132 insures that the cartons securely engage stamping disc 128 as they pass through dating apparatus 25. Stamping disc 128 and biasing disc 132 are rotatably supported from the frame of the closing and labeling apparatus by means of appropriate brackets 134 and 135, respectively.

A pair of pressure rollers 138 and 139 are supported above the conveyor belt by bracket 137 and rotatably mounted on axle 140. Pressure rollers 138 and 139 are positioned adjacent dating apparatus and prevent the top or lid of the carton from buckling from the pressure exerted thereon from stamping disc 128 and biasing disc 132, as the carton passes through the dating apparatus 25 and insures that the carton engages the conveyor belt with enough force so that there is suicient traction between the conveyor belt and the carton to move the carton through the dating apparatus.

LABELING APPARATUS As is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 12-19, labeling apparatus 26 includes an upwardly extending support arm 141 which is supported from the frame of the closing and labeling apparatus 20. Support arm 141 rotatably supports a roller 142 which is adapted to receive a roll of labels 144. Horizontal support arm 145 supports a pair of idle rollers 146 and 147, and a downwardy extending support rod 149 supports an idler weight 150. Support rod 149 also supports receiving tray 151 which limits the downward movement of idler weight 150.

Angled support arm 152 extends at an angle of approximately 30 degrees with respect to the path of travel of the conveyor belt and supports, at its other end, tension roller 154` Pivot pin 155 pivotally supports friction arm 156, and counter weight 158 biases friction arm 156 into contact with tension roller 154. Angled support arm 152 defines an elongated slot 159 along its length and photoelectric cells 160 and 161 are supported by means of brackets 162 and 163, respectively, on one side of slot 159 while light sources 164 and 165 are supported on the opposite side of slot 159, and are arranged to illuminate photoelectric cells 160 and '161, respectively. Feed rollers 166 and 167 are supported by angled support arm 152 adjacent the lower portion thereof. Feed roller 166 is intermittently driven, as will be described more fully hereinafter. Thus, with this arrangement, a length of continuous label 169 is taken from the roll 144 and threaded over idle roller 146, under idler weight 150, over idle roller 147, and between tension roller 154 and its friction arm 156, between photoelectric cell 160 and its light source 164, between photoelectric cell I161 and its light source 165, and between feed rollers 166 and 167. When feed roller 166 is intermittently driven, the label 169 will be pulled from the roll of labels 144.

As is shown in FIG. 14, driven roller 166 comprises a core roller 168 having an enlarged center flange 169 and reduced end portions 170 and 171. End rollers I172 and 173 are mounted on reduced end portions 170 and 171, respectively, of core roller 168.

The enlarged center liange 169 of core roller 168 defines annular grooves 174 and 175 on its opposite faces, while the inner faces of the end rollers 172 and 173 define annular grooves `176 and 177 which correspond in position to the annular grooves 174 and 175 of core roller 168. End rollers 172 and 173 each define with core roller 168 an annular opening 179 and 180 outwardly of the annular spaces defined by annular grooves 174-177 of core roller 168 and end rollers 172 and 173 Ball bearing races 181 and 182 and their ball bearings 183 are positioned in the annular spaces defined by annular grooves 174-177. Set screws 185 are received in mated grooves of core roller 168 and end rollers 172 and 173 to rigidly connect end rollers 172 and 173 to core roller 168, so that end rollers 172 and 173 rotate in unison with core roller 168.

Feed roller 167 is identical to feed roller 166 except for the presence of set screws 185. Thus, the rollers of feed roller 167 are independently rotatable with respect to its core roller.

As is shown in FIG. 13, feed rollers 166 and 167 are mounted in bracket 188 which s connected to the frame of the closing and labeling apparatus 20. Biasing bracket 189 is slidably received in bracket `188, and supports roller 167. Springs 190 are disposed between biasing bracket 189 and bracket 188 and urge roller 167 into engagement with roller 166. Thus, the labeling material passing between the rollers will always be frictionally engaged by the rollers.

Clutch brack mechanism 191 is connected to bracket 188 and adapted to intermittently drive feed roller 166. Clutch bracket 192 is connected to the side of bracket 188 and rotatably supports friction disc 194 and driving disc 195. Driving disc 195 is continuously driven. Friction disc 194 is slidably connected to core roller 168 of feed roller 166 by means of a keyed shaft 196 (FIG. 14). Solenoid 198 is connected to bracket 188 and functions to operate clutch engaging fork 199. Clutch engaging fork 199 is connected at its upper end to pivot pin 200, and disc 201 is movable inwardly toward friction disc 194 by engagement of fork 199 to force friction disc 194 into frictional contact with driving disc 195. Thus, when solenoid 198 is energized, clutch engaging fork 199 is moved in a counterclockwise direction about pivot pin 200, and disc 201 urges friction disc 194 into frictional contact with driving disc 195, whereupon driving disc 195 rotates friction disc 194 and its shaft 196 (FIG. 14), which rotates feed roller 166. Because of the frictional engagement between feed rollers 166 and 167 from the force of springs 190, feed roller 167 will rotate in unison with feed roller 166. Driving disc 195 is driven by means of sprocket 197.

As is shown in FIGS. 12, and 16, rollers 204 and 205 are spaced from feed rollers 166 and 167, respectively, and are driven by means of interengaging sprockets 207 (FIG. 16) from sprocket 197. Roller 204 defines a pair of annular grooves (not shown), while roller 205 includes two sleeves having annular grooves 209, 210, and annular grooves 211 and 212 spaced inwardly of the sleeves. Continuous belts or bands 214 and 215 (FIGS. 16 and 18) extend about feed roller 166 and its idler roller 204, and are seated in the grooves (not shown) of idler roller 204 and in annular openings 179 and 180 of feed roller 166 (FIG. 14). Bands 216 and 217 extend about feed roller 167 and its idler roller 205, and are located in grooves 211 and 212 of idler roller 205 and in annular openings at 179 and -180 of feed roller 167. Band positioning roller 219 is rotatably supported adjacent feed roller 167 and defines annular grooves 220 and 221 which receive bands 216 and 217 as they pass from idler roller 205 and toward feed roller 167.

A plurality of heated rollers 224, 225, 226 and 227 are supported above conveyor belt 28, adjacent idler rollers 204 and 205. Heated roller 224 defines annular grooves 229, 230, 231 and 232. Bands 234 and 235 extend about idler roller 205 and heated roller 224, and are received in annular grooves 211 and 212 of idler roller 205, and in annular grooves 230 and 231 of heated roller 224. Heated rollers 225, 226 and 227 are similar in shape and each define two annular grooves, grooves 238 and 239. Bands 242 and 244 extend about all four of the heated rollers, in a manner similar to bands 234 and 235.

As is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 11, a pair of heated rollers 246 and 248 are positioned between the dating apparatus 25 and labeling apparatus 26. Heated rollers 246 and 248 are substantially identical to heated rollers 224- 227, c lfept no spring bands are necessary for heated rollers 246 and 248.

As is best shown in FIG. 16, a set of carton biasing rollers 341 is positioned below rollers 224, 225, 226, and 227, and below conveyor belt 28. Biasing rollers 344, 345, 346 and 347 are rotatably supported by L-shaped arms 349, 350, 351 and 352, respectively, which are pivotable about pivot pins 354, 355, 356 and 357, are respectively. Bolts 359, 360, 361 and 362 are connected to belt support surface 27, and springs 364, 365, 366 and 367 are positioned about bolts 359-362, respectively. Extensions 369, 370, 371 and 372 of L-shaped arms 349-352 are positioned about bolts 359-362, above springs 364-367, to urge biasing rollers 344-347 toward heated rollers 224- 227. Thus, when a carton passes between rollers 224- 227 and 344-347, a predetermined compression force will be exerted on the carton, regardless of the size of the eggs in the carton. Of course, the compression force can be varied by adjusting the nuts of bolts 359-362. Carton biasing rollers are also employed with heated rollers of FIG. 11.

As is shown in FIG. 11, a heating element 244 and a thermal expansion switch 245 are supported in a stationary position within the heated rollers. Each roller is rotatably supported by bearings 243 and 247 at one end, adjacent its driving sprocket. Thus, the rollers rotate about their heating elements and thermal expansion switches. The space between the interior surfaces of the rollers and their heating elements is substantially dead space; that is, virtually no air circulates inside the rollers, and the air within the rollers acts as a heat stabilizing material, to slowly transfer heat from the heating elements to the rollers when the heating elements are energized and to contain residual heat when the heating elements are not energized, thereby smoothing out sudden swings in temperature of the rollers as the heating elements are energized and de-energized. As is shown in FIG. l, a blower 250 is connected to the frame of the closing and labeling apparatus 20, at the lower portion thereof, and an outlet duct 251 extends up toward, and then parallel to, the path to be traveled by the cartons as they pass through the apparatus. Nozzle 252 is positioned adjacent idler rollers 204 and 205, and is effective to direct air toward the lower periphery of heated rollers 224-227, generally along the path traveled by the upper surface of the cartons as they travel through the apparatus.

As is best shown in FIGS. l, 12 and 19, a photoelectric cell 254 is positioned in the path to be traveled by cartons being moved by conveyor belt 28, at the point on the conveyor between idler rollers 204 and 205 and heated rollers 224-227. Photoelectric cell 254 is energized and de-energized by the absence and presence, respectively, of light eminated from a source of light positioned on the opposite side of the conveyor belt. Microswitch 255 is also positioned in the path of travel of the cartons to be conveyed by the conveyor belt, and is located beneath heated rollers 224-227. Microswitch 255 includes a switch arm that extends in the path traveled by the cartons processed by the apparatus, so that the cartons function to open normally closed microswitch 255 as they pass beneath heated rollers 224-227. With this arrangement, the cartons Will function to close photoelectric switch 254 prior to opening microswitch 255.

As is best shown in FIG. 2, motor 32 functions to drive the rotating components of the closing and labeling apparatus 20 by means of continuous chain 256. As is indicated by arrow 258, driving sprocket 259 drives exit roller 30 in the direction as indicated by arrow 31 so asto move the upper ight of the conveyor belt from the entrance end toward the exit end of the apparatus. Chain 256 is also extended over idler roller 260, engages sprockets 261 of heated rollers 227 and 224, respectively, eX- tends over sprocket 264 of driving disc 194 of clutch mechanism 191 of feed roller 166, is engaged by idler sprocket 265, contacts the lower peripheries of sprockets 266 and 268 of heated rollers 246 and 248, respectively, extends about idler sprockets 269 and 270, engages clutch sprocket 271 of clutch 34, extends about adjustable idler sprocket 272, and back around driving sprocket 259. Thus, motor 32 functions to rotate the various rotatably driven components of the closing and labeling apparatus 20.

As is shown in FIGS. 15, 17 and 19, a guillotine cutter 275 is positioned between feed rollers 166 and 167 and their respective idler rollers 204 and 205. Guillotine 275 includes stationary members 276 and 277 and intermediate movable cutting member 278. Stationary members 276 and 277 are generally of inverted U-shaped configuration and include slots 280 and 281, respectively, in the lower edge of the base of their U. Movable member 278 defines an interior opening 284 and the lower interior edge 285 defines a pair of slots 286. The strip of labeling material 169 is guided through opening 284 of movable member 278 by bands 214, 215, 216 and 217, which extend about feed rollers 166 and 167 and their respective idler rollers 204 and 205. Solenoid 288 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 19) is positioned above guillotine 275 and functions to reciprocate movable element 278. When solenoid 238 is energized, movable element 278 is moved to the position as shown in FIG. 15, the slots 280 and 281 of the stationary elements 276 and 277, respectively, and slots 286 of movable element 278 accommodating rubber coated spring bands 214-217. Thus, a length is cut away from label 169 without damaging rubber coated spring bands 214-217. Slots 283 accommodate bands 216 and 217 on their return flight.

As is shown in FIG. 18, the bands successfully utilized with the various ones of the rollers disclosed herein comprise a conventional coil tension spring 290 which is coated with rubber 291. The elasticity of the spring 290 and its rubber coating 291 is such that the various spring bands can be stretched; however, their combination is such that they create a high tension resilience. Furthermore, the rubber coating presents a resilient gripping exterior surface for maximum frictional engagement with the strip of labeling material.

In order that heat rollers 224-227 function to properly heat the labeling material, but, at the same time, do not allow the labeling material or its printing ink to adhere to the heated rollers, a Teflon sleeve 294 (FIG. l0) is placed about heated rollers 224-227.

A second embodiment of the clutch brake mechanism 191 is shown in FIGS. 20-23 and is designated generally 500. The clutch brake mechanism 500, like the clutch brake mechanism 191, is connected to bracket 188 and adapted to intermittently drive feed roller 166. The keyed drive shaft 196 of the feed roller 166 rotatably extends through the bracket 188 and through a U-shaped clutch bracket 501 having the extending ends of its legs 502 secured to the bracket 188. The shaft 196 rotatably supports the driving disc 195, as seen in FIG. 21, just as it does with the clutch brake mechanism 191. Dri'ving disc is continuously driven by chain 264 as disclosed hereinabove. A friction disc 504 similar in construction to the friction disc 194 is keyed to the shaft 196 so that the disc 504 is slidably movable along the shaft 196 but rotatably drives the shaft 196 as the same is rotated. A driveplate 503 on one side of the friction disc 504 is adapted to operatively engage the driving disc 195 so that the friction disc 504 is rotated by the driving disc 195 to rotate the core roller 168 shown in FIG. 14. The opposite side of the friction disc 504 as seen in FIG. 2l is provided with a brake plate 50S so that as the friction disc 504 is moved toward the clutch bracket 501, the brake plate 505 engages the same and locks the shaft 196 to prevent movement thereof.

For selectively moving the friction disc 504 into engagement with the driving disc 195 or into engagement with the clutch bracket 501, a positioning fork 506 is provided. The fork 506 has a U-shaped yoke 508 with upstanding legs 509 extending up on opposite sides of the bracket 501 and friction disc 504. A U-shaped mounting bracket 510 is carried by the bracket 501 and its legs 511 extend out on opposite sides of the friction disc 504 and above the centerline thereof. The extending ends of legs 1 1 511 pivotally mount the uppermost ends of the legs 509 of yoke 508 therebetween.

A positioning roll 512 is rotatably carried by each of the legs 509 just below the bracket 510. The rolls 512 extend inwardly from the yoke 508 between the drive plate 503 and the brake plate 505 adjacent the centerline thereof. Therefore, it will be seen that when the fork 506 is pivoted clockwise as seen in FIG. 2l, the rolls 512 will engage the drive plate 503 and force the same into engagement with the driving disc 195. Likewise, when the fork 506 is pivoted counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 21, the rolls 512 will engage the brake plate 505 and force the same into engagement with bracket 501.

An actuating arm 514 extends downwardly from the yoke 508 for pivoting the yoke 508 to engage or disengage the clutch brake mechanism 500. An engaging solenoid 515 and a disengaging solenoid 516 are mounted below the clutch mechanism 500 on an extension 518 carried by the bracket 188. The arm 514 extends down and is pivotally mounted on a connector 519 connected between the plunger 520 associated with the engaging solenoid 515 and the plunger 521 associated with the engaging solenoid 515 and the plunger 521 associated with the disengaging solenoid 516. It will be seen that as the solenoid 515 is energized, the arm 514 will be moved to the left as seen in FIG. 21 to cause the friction disc 504 to engage the driving disc 195 to rotate shaft 196. Likewise, it will be seen that when solenoid 515 is de-energized and solenoid 516 is energized, the arm 514 will be moved to the right as seen in FIG. 2l to cause the friction disc 504 to engage the bracket 501 and lock the shaft 196. It will also be seen that the rolls 512 are effective to force the friction disc 504 into and out of engagement while still allowing the friction disc 504 to rotate when it engages the driving disc 195. In this manner, positive engagement and disengagement of the clutch mechanism 500 is accomplished.

This arrangement gives a mechanical advantage of approximately 35 to 1 to insure that the solenoids 515 and 516 will maintain engagement of the friction disc 504 with the driving disc 195 or with the bracket 501. The inherent resiliency of the arm 514 allows the arm 514 to tiex sufficiently to compensate for wear without having to adjust the solenoids 515 and 516. For example, with the arrangement illustrated the rolls 512 are moved 11E/1000 to 3%000 inch while the arm moves 1% inch. Only SA inch of movement is actually needed for the arm 514 to cause the friction disc 504 to engage the disc 195 or the bracket 501. However, the arm 514 flexes to allow the additional movement thereof.

FIGS. 24-27 illustrate a second embodiment of the guillotine 275 which is used to cut the strip of labeling material 169 to length. The second embodiment of the guillotine 275 is indicated generally by the reference numeral 550. The guillotine 550 is positioned outboard of the rollers 166 and 167 instead of between the rollers 205 and 219 as is the guillotine 275. It will also be noted that the guillotine 550 cuts through the labeling material 169 for only a portion of its width with the cartons 300 on which the labeling material 169 is to be positioned finishing the severing operation when the cartons 300 are moved by conveyor belt 28 with the rollers 166 and 167 stopped.

The guillotine 550 is carried by a mounting plate 551 positioned adjacent the labeling material 169 as it passes through the rollers 166 and 167. A solenoid 552 is mounted on the back side of the plate 551 and has a cutter bar 554 secured to the extending end of the plunger 555 of the solenoid 552. A knife assembly 556 defining a cut-- ting edge 558 thereon having a length less than the width of the strip of labeling material 169 is secured to the extending end of the cutter bar 554. The cutter bar 554 extends forwardly of the mounting plate 551 through a slot therein and under the strip of labeling material 169 as it passes thereby. This is shown in FIGS. 25 and 26.

A slotted stationary member 559 is positioned just above the strip of labeling material 169 and a like stationary member 560 is positioned just below the strip of labeling material 169 as it passes by the guillotine 550. The cutter blade 556 passes through the slots 561 in the stationary members 559 and 560 to partially sever the strip of labeling material along a portion of its width when the solenoid 552 is energized to retract the plunger 555 and the cutting of the strip of material 169 is best illustrated in FIG. 27.

By partially severing the strip of material 169 rather than fully severing it as does the guillotine 275, tension can be maintained in the strip of material 169 as it is being applied to the top of the carton 300. When the rollers 166 and 167 are stopped by the disengagement of the clutch brake mechanism 191 or 500, the force exerted on the carton 300 will finish severing the material 169 where it has been cut part of the way across its width by the guillotine 550. This prevents the strip of material 169 from being wrinkled as it is applied to the top of the carton 300.

FIG. 28 is an electrical schematic diagram for the invention using the clutch brake mechanism 500 and the guillotine 550. It will be noted that the photoelectric cell 160 and its light source 164 is eliminated for this embodiment of the invention. Primarily the only changes that have been made in the circuitry is that portion of the circuitry associated with the solenoid 552 and that portion of the circuitry associated with the solenoids 515 and 516. A new contact point 522 has been added to the relay switch 316 with which the contact 320 closes in the position shown in FIG. 28. This causes the friction disc 504 to be positively locked against the bracket 501 as long as solenoid 516 is energized. The old retained Contact 0 point of relay switch 316 has been renumbered 523.

Contact point 522 is connected to one side of solenoid 516, the other side of solenoid 516 being connected to conductor 319. Contact point 523 is connected to one side of solenoid 515 through wire 524, the other side of solenoid 515 being connected to conductor 319 through conductor 326. Therefore, it will be seen when contact 320 makes contact point 522, the solenoid 516 will be energized to disengage friction disc 504. When contact 320 makes contact point 523, the solenoid 515 will be energized to engage friction disc 504 with driving disc 19S to rotate shaft 196.

A timing relay T is interposed in wire 331 so that activation of photoelectric switch 161 activates relay T and energizes coil 330. The solenoid 552 of guillotine 550 is connected between conductors 311 and 319 in series with the normally open contacts 525 of timing relay T. Therefore, it will be seen that relay T when activated by photoelectric switch 161, momentarily closes contacts 525 after a predetermined period of time. This momentarily energizes solenoid 552 to partially sever the strip of labeling material 169.

Cartons 300 that can be processed by the invention comprise a tray 301, locking flap 302, and top or lid 303. Lid 303 is hinged to tray 301 along one edge of the tray and pivotal over the top of the tray to engage locking flap 302. Locking liap 302 includes a protrusion 305 while lid 303 includes apertures (not shown) through which protrusions 305 extend when lid 303 is in its closed position.

The surfaces of the labeling material 169 that is to come in contact with the top surface of the lid 303 of the carton 300 is coated with a thin layer of heat responsive adhesive. The adhesive is of the type that is not tacky at room temperature but becomes tacky and will bond material at elevated temperatures. In this particular embodiment shown, the adhesive bonds the labeling material 169 to the top surface of the lid 303 at a temperature in excess of 200 F. Thus, heated rollers 246 and 248 function to heat the top surface of the lid 303, while heated rollers 224-227 heat the label and press the label onto the top surface of the lid 303. By coating the labeling material 169 prior to application of the material to the lid, an applicator for applying `a paste solvent or other bonding material which bonds at room temperature to the label at the point of application of the label to the carton is eliminated.

The labeling material 169 is manufactured in such a way that the grains thereof are oriented. This serves to cause the labeling material 169 to directionally shrink as heat is applied thereto. Therefore, it will be seen that if the labeling material 169 is heated after it is applied to the carton 300 the wrinkles that may be in the labeling material 169 on the lid 303 may be removed therefrom. If the labeling material 169 is heated across its entire width, however, the edges thereof tend to retract from their normal position and expose some of the adhesive which holds the labeling material 169 to the top of the lid 303.

One of the problems associated with the particular t-ype of carton 300 -used with the invention is the fact that voids V, as bestfseen in FIG. l0, are centrally located along the length of the lid 303. The wrinkles in the labeling material 169 generally show up on that portion of the labeling material 169 which extends across the voids V. Therefore, if that portion of the labeling material 169 which extends across the voids V were heated suiciently, that portion of the labeling material 169 would be shrunk to remove the wrinkles therefrom.

A shrinkage heater 600 is carried by the apparatus of the invention so that a carton 300 with the labeling material 169 thereon passes under the shrinkage heater 600 after it leaves the heated rollers 224-227. This is best seen in FIG. 1. The shrinkage heater 600 is effective to heat the longitudinally extended central portion of the labeling material 169 which extends across the voids V in the lid 303 as it passes thereunder and shrink the labeling material 169 sufficiently to remove the wrinkles therefrom.

:Referring more particularly to FIG. 29, the shrinkage heater 600 includes generally a housing H, -which is hollow and which is connected to the blower 250 through a pipe 602 extending down through the top wall 601 of the housing H. Therefore, it will be seen that as the blower 250 is operated, unheated air will be injected into the interior of the housing H through the pipe 602.

Three heating elements 604 extend longitudinally through the housing H and serve to heat the air introduced therein through the pipe 602. An elongate passage 605 is defined through the bottom wall 606 of the housing H and is oriented so that its greater dimension extends longitudinally of the carton 300 as it passes thereunder. It will be noted that the passage 605 is considerably narrower than the width of the labeling material 169 on the top of the carton 300. The passage 605 is oriented so that the central portion of the labeling material 169 which extends across the voids V in the lid 303 of the egg carton 300 will pass under the passage 605 as it is moved by conveyor 28.

To prevent the labeling material 169 on the carton 300 being directly subjected to from any radiant heat generated by the heating elements 604, the plurality of baies 608 extend along the longth of the housing H. The baffles 608 are constructed and arranged so that the unheated air introduced through the pipe 602 will pass by and around the heating elements 604 and out by the passage 605, but will prevent direct contact of radiant heat generated by the elements 604 with the labeling material 169.

The elements of the shrinkage heater 600 are connected to an appropriate voltage source 609 as best seen in FIG. 28 and are of a sufficient size to heat the air passing through the housing H suiciently to cause the labeling material 169 to shrink and remove the wrinkles therefrom.

While it is understood that different capacity elements 604 will be used depending upon the speed at which the carton 300 moves under the heater 600, the thickness of the labeling material 169 and the temperature of the labeling material when it leaves the heated rollers 224-227, the particular embodiment shown uses two 600 watt heating elements which heat the air discharged through the passage 605 to a temperature of approximately 300. The elements 604 are controlled by a thermostat 610 to maintain the air ow at a constant temperature.

OPERATION When the cartons 300 are to be closed, dated and labeled, they are placed on conveyor belt 28 by hand or automatic means, such as a conveyor belt in alignment with the conveyor belt 28, and processed through the closing and labeling apparatus 20. Prior to being placed upon conveyor belt 28, the cartons are filled with eggs 306, eggs 306 being received in the egg receiving cavities or cells of tray 301.

As conveyor belt 28 moves a carton through the closing and labeling apparatus 20, lid 303 engages switch 33 (FIG. 3), which energizes clutch solenoid 35 (FIGS. 3 and 9). Lever 36 of solenoid 35 pivots about pivot pin 38 to withdraw its L-shaped protrusion 39 from connecting link 48, whereupon connecting link 48 and its lug 51 are moved toward the periphery of clutch disc 44 by means of tension spring 50. Lug 51 is engaged by one of the teeth 43 of sprocket 42, and sprocket 42, being continuously driven by its shaft 40, rotates clutch disc 44 and shaft 47 through beveled gears 45 and 46. Rotation of shaft 47 causes cam shaft 56 (FIG. 3) to rotate in a similar manner. After clutch disc 44 has rotated through one revolution, L-shaped protrusion 39 of lever 36 will re-engage connecting link 48 and pivot connecting link 48 about its pivot pin 49 and withdraw lug 51 from engagement with one of the teeth 43 of sprocket 42, thus stopping the rotation of clutch disc 44 and shaft 47. Thus, cam shaft 56 is rotated through one revolution each time solenoid 35 is energized by switch 33.

Rotation of cam shaft 56 causes a corresponding rotation of its cams 59, `60, 61, 62 and 63, which causes the closing operation of the carton to take place. As carn 59 is rotated, it urges its cam follower 69 through its sleeve 65, to pivot rocker arm 72, which pivots hooks 75 into engagement with the upper rim 308 of egg carton tray 301 (FIG. 4), on each side of locking ap 302.

In the meantime, second gripping cam 60 allows its cam follower to fall olf its cam surface, whereupon spring 88 pivots rocking lever 77 about its pivot pin 79, thereby urging intermediate link 81 to the left (FG. 3), and pivoting rocking lever 76 in a clockwise direction about its pivot pin 78. Thus, spring 88 is effective to snap rocking levers 76 and 77 toward each other. The movement of rocking levers 76 and 77 is such that the carton is gripped between its tray 301 and lid 303, at its hinge line between the tray and the lid, and rocking levers 76 and 77 center the carton in closing apparatus 24.

As plate elevating cam 61 rotates (FIG. 6), its cam follower 96 pivots elevating bracket 92 about pivot pin and pivots sleeve 101 about cam shaft 56. In the meantime, plate tilting cam 62 moves its cam follower 104 (FIG. 7) outwardly of cylinder 101. The combined movement of plate elevating cam 61 and plate tilting cam I62 is such as to elevate and tilt folding plate from its position as shown in full lines of FIG. 7 to the position as shown in dotted lines of FIG. 7, whereupon the upper portion 114 of folding plate 110 pivots the locking ap of carton 300 inwardly.

In the meantime, crank 115 at the end of cam shaft 56 pivots lid closing plate 118 (FIGS. 3, 5 and 8) about its hinge pin or axle 119, to close the lid 303 of the carton. Presser feet 120 engage the upper or outer surface of the carton lid 303 to firmly press the carton toward its closed position, while rim presser 121 engages the lid at its junc- 

